Using the Tuituia recording tool

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The Tuituia recording tool

The Tuituia recording tool is where you document the information you've gathered in the course of your assessment and record your analysis.

You can find the Tuituia recording tool in CYRAS.

Completing the summary of needs and strengths

To outline a complete picture of the needs, strengths and risks for te tamaiti, the interaction between the Kaitiaki Mokopuna, Mokopuna Ora and Te Ao Hurihuri domains must be carefully analysed.

Mokopuna ora

The narrative in the summary section must describe clearly and accurately the areas of need for te tamaiti and the strengths that provide an opportunity to improve the situation. It is not a case summary — that is recorded in the why we are involved section.

The narrative in this section relates to and explains the Tuituia summary diagram which is a visual representation of the needs and strengths for te tamaiti.

The information shown in the summary diagram is the social worker's analysis and scaling of each of the relevant mokopuna ora domains covered in the assessment.

Kaitiaki mokopuna

The narrative in the summary section must describe clearly and accurately the areas of need and strength of the parent/caregiver(s) you have assessed.

The narrative in this section relates to, and explains the summary diagram which is a visual representation of the needs and strengths for the parent/caregiver(s) and their ability to meet the wellbeing needs of te tamatiti in their care.

If the assessment is in respect of more than one person identify how the needs and strengths of each person contributes to the scale given for each domain.

The information shown in the summary diagram is the social worker's analysis and scaling of each of the relevant Kaitiaki Mokopuna domains covered in the assessment.

Completing the why we are involved and what we are worried about section

This section of the assessment is where we describe the unique circumstances that brought te tamaiti to our attention and the focus of our current work with them.

If te tamaiti is in care this might include the permanent care outcome we are seeking to achieve, what needs to happen to achieve that outcome and any worries that might impact on the wellbeing of te tamaiti.

This section has two parts:

1. Current summary

Use this section of the assessment to outline why we are involved by describing the behaviours that are presenting (or have presented in the past) that are or have caused harm to te tamaiti.

These are the danger/harm statements, which can be explored using the child/young person and family consult tool.

Child/young person and family consult tool

Clearly and succinctly state the risks to te tamaiti if the behaviours do not change. These are the risk statements.

Well-written risk statements keep us focused on te tamaiti, help te tamaiti and their whānau understand why we are involved, and form the basis for any plans that are required. We need to make sure we discuss these with whānau and te tamaiti.

Risk statements should be a standalone, structured statement. They start with “we are worried that” and have three components:

1. The person whose behaviour (or in some cases situation) you are worried about
2. The behaviour (or in some cases the situation) you are worried about
3. The impact, or possible impact, on te tamaiti.

Examples

"We are worried that Katie and Daniel (parents) do not always feed Joshua (tamaiti) and that Joshua might become sick and not develop properly because he isn’t getting the food he needs to grow and be healthy.

We are worried that Katie and Daniel leave Joshua at home on his own while they are out partying and that Joshua might be frightened, might hurt himself or be hurt by someone who comes into the house."

"We are worried that Brent (dad) sometimes says he wants Hanna to live with him and sometimes says he doesn’t. This is really confusing for Hanna and makes her feel like Brent doesn’t want her and that she doesn’t belong anywhere.

We are worried that Hanna was drinking alcohol every night and taking ecstasy, prescription medicine and herbal highs before she went to the residence in March, and that she might go back to using alcohol and drugs again when she leaves residence. This could make it hard for Hanna to learn and concentrate at school, could give her health problems, and cause Hanna to feel ‘up and down’ and mean that people could hurt her when she is ‘out of it’."

2. History

This section is used to outline the significant events in the life of te tamaiti and their whānau or family (this may include, but is not limited to the loss of a loved one, a change in living situation or school, new relationship, or a significant achievement). This section does not come into the Tuituia report.

Also use this section to highlight any engagement the family has had with services such as Police or community agencies,  and the outcome of those engagements. It's not just a history of referrals to Oranga Tamariki and should not be limited to adverse events only.